Automatic cushion for piping systems



Sept. 22, 1931. D. A. GILLEN ET AL 1,824,342

AUTOMATIC CUSHION FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Filed March 12, 1929 j ii flaw r Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DANIEL A. GILLEN .AND FREDERICK W. SEYMOUR, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK AUTOMATIC CUSHION" FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Application filed March 12, 1929. Serial No. 846,286.

This invention relates to cushioning devices for piping systems to eliminate water hammer.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, having improved flexible means to eliminate-water hammer.

Another object of the 1 nvent1on is to provide an air cushion and improved means to prevent contact between the air cushion and the water in the piping system.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the nature set forth having improved means for affording communication between the flexible means and the piping system. i

A further object of the invention is to furnish a device of the type mentioned wherein the connecting means includes an improved element for housing the flexible means. a

A further object of the invention is to construct a device of the species alluded to havingcomparatively few and simple parts, which is inexpensive to manufacture, durable, and efficient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawings, whereinlike parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in vertical section of a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section thereof taken 0n the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view in detached position of a fitting employed in the invention.

Fig. 4 is a view showing a typical application of the invention.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different" constructions. The accompanying drawings, therefore, are submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplifica-tion of the invention.

Generally described, the invention provides any suitable expansible compartment, as, for example, a flexible walled hollow member, which may be made of rubber or metal of a corrugated expansible nature. The said compartment may act, therefore, as a resilient cushioning means to eliminate water hammer, and is preferably water tight so as to assure absolute safety in the use thereof. Coacting with the said compartment is another cushioning means of any suitable nature, as, for instance, air or sponge rubber. In the use of air as a cushioning means in water hammer, it is found that the air is gradually dissipated for various reasons, as by leakage, or absorption by the water. In this invention, direct contact is avoided between the air cushion and the water, regardless of whether the water and the air cushion be on the inside and outside of the compartment as shown herein, or vice versa. "If sponge rubber be used, it may be exposed to direct contact with the water, but preferably the said expansible compartment is used to present a minimum surface of contact with the water to obtain a maximum life of the device. The expansible compartment, that separates the air cushion from the water in the piping system, may, if made of rubber, be connected to the'metal parts by screw members or by vulcanization. Springs may be used to aid in the return of the rubber compartment to normal condition. Means may be provided to release any undue or exces-- sive air pressure of air cushion into the piping system and to permit replenishing of the air cushion, without possibility of leakage of any fluid from the device into the building in which the device is used.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 10 deproducecl embodying less notes a device embodying the invention. The same is shown applied to any conventional piping system 11, which may supply water, for example, to a .flush tank '12 of a water closet 13. The device is connected to the system 11 in proximity to the flush tank and valve therein, which, being conventional has not been shown, and serves to eliminate water hammer in the piping system caused by the opening or closing of the flush tank valve. Any suitable detachable plate 12a covers the recess 10a in which the device is positioned.

The device 10 includes an improved fitting 14 having a reducing coupling portion 15 that is internally threaded at 16 and 17. The fitting 14 is so arranged as to permit connection to be made with the small end 18 through the large end 19 of the same. For this purpose, the said fitting may include a central tubular portion 20 that may be formed integrally with the reducing coupling portion 15, or separate therefrom. According to the latter arrangement, the portion 20 may constitute a nipple which has threaded connection at 21 with the small end 18 of the fitting. The said nipple may be of any required length, and may be suitably threaded at its upper end at 22.

To connect the fitting 14 with the piping system 11, a nipple 23 may be screwed into the small end 18 of the fitting, and into a T 24 in the said piping system. If desired the T 24 may be of integral construction with the fitting 14.

Communicating with the piping system 11 through the central tubular portion 20 of the fitting 14 is a flexible walled chamber 25. The latter is preferably upright, and may be made of any suitable material for the purpose in view, as, for example, rubber. The said chamber may be connected to the tubular portion 20 in any desired manner to have fiuid tightengagement therewith. At its upper end the chamber 25 may be closed by an integral portion or mechanically, as shown. As one possible arrangement, we show the said chamber as having integral annular beads 26 at the upper and lower ends thereof. Coacting with the end portions referred to are bushings 27 having sleeve portions 28 to extend into the ends of thechamber 25, and connecting portions 29 of larger diameter to provide annular seats 30 for the beads 26. Union members 31 take over the beads 26, and have threaded connection at 32 with the portions 29 to strongly engage the beads 26 in said seats for fluid tight engagement. Each portion 29 is internally threaded at 33 to engage at the lower end of the chamber 25 with the tube 20, and at the upper end of said chamber to receive a plug 34 having a sawed off or fiat upper surface.

To provide an air cushion and to protect the chamber 25 and add to the safety and reliability of the entire device 10, a casing 35, which may be made of metal and consist, for simplicity, merely of a piece of pipe, receives the chamber 25 centrally, and is connected to the fitting 14 at the thread 16. At its upper end, the casing 35 may be closed in any suitable manner, as, for instance, by a cap 36. It is seen that the air cushion is of annular form and disposed between the chamber 25 and the wall of the casing 35. This air cushion has no contact whatsoever with the water in the piping system, being separated therefrom by the wall of the chamber 25. The air cushion will therefore not be dissipated by solution in the water.

When water hammer occurs, the chamber 25 will expand in transverse and longitudinal directions. To aid the said chamber to return to normal condition after the water hammer has discontinued, auxiliary resilient means may cooperate with the said chamber. The said resilient means may take the form of an expansion coil spring 37 acting between the cap 36 and the plug 34 in alinement with the cushioning chamber 25. A plurality of rods 38, preferably three in number and equally spaced, may be positioned to extend lengthwise along the outside of the cushioning chamber 25, and retained against the wall thereof, by expansion coil springs 39 acting between the rods and the wall of the casing 35.

To relieve undue pressure of air in the .annular space in the casing 35 about the cushion chamber 25, a check valve 40 is provided. The same is set to open only at a very high pressure, so as not to destroy the air cushion, and yet to relieve the very maximum or peak pressures that may occur in water hammer, 105 for the most beneficial cushioning action. The check valve is connected to the casing 35 by a pipe 41, and to the nipple 23 by a pipe 42. The pipes may be interconnected by a union 43. The check valve is so arranged that air in the said annular space in the casing 35 may flow through the check valve 40 into the nipple 23 but not in a reverse direction. Now, assuming that the supply of air in the casing 35 has been thus 115 diminished, it may be properly replenished through a check valve 44 connected to the casing 35. The check valve 44 will not permit anything in the casing to flow outward therefrom.

It is seen that the system is absolutely tight and fool proof. In normal operation, the chamber 25 will contain air and thus constitute a combined air and mechanical cush ion. Should the air column in the said cham- 125 ber be lost by leakage or any other cause, the said chamber would nevertheless function. There is no possibility of any leakage occurring out of the casing 35. Nevertheless, the invention provides for relief of air pressure 130 in the casing about the cushioning chamber, and also protects the interior of the said casing and the exterior of the said chamber from any substantial contact with the water in the piping system.

We claim:

1. A device for eliminating water hammer from a piping system, said device including a hollow member made of a flexible composition material, means connecting the same with the piping system, and a housing for the member, said means including a reducing coupling portion having connection at its small end with the piping system and at its large end with the housing, and tubular means extending from the small end portion of the reducing coupling and engaging the said member to afford communication therebetween with the piping system, and resilient means re-enforcing the walls of said member.

2. A device for eliminating water hammer from. a piping system, said device including a hollow member made of a flexible composition material, a housing for the same providing an annular air space cushioning the member, a reducing coupling connecting the housing to the piping system, and a separable means in the reducing coupling having clamping engagement with the said memher and threaded connection with the coupling for communication of the member with the piping system.

3. A device for eliminating water hammer from a piping system, said device including a tubular member made of a flexible composition material, a housing for the same providing an air chamber cushioning the tubular member, means to connect the tubular member to the piping system at one end of the said member, closure means for the other end of the said member spaced from the housing, and resilient means acting between the housing and the closure means.

4. A device for eliminating water hammer from piping systems, said device including a hollow member made of flexible composition material, means intercommunicating the member with the piping system, and spring means re-enforcing the member.

5. A device for eliminating water hammer from piping systems, said device including a. housing, a hollow member therein made of flexible composition material, said member being of elongated form, resilient means recnforcing the member in the lengthwise direction, and resilient means acting laterally on the member for re-enforcing and retaining the member in a predetermined position with respect to the housing.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

DANIEL A. GILLEN. FREDERICK W. SEYMOUR. 

